Irene A. (Blasi) Cerame, 85, passed away unexpectedly on March 24, 2016. A lifetime resident of Trinidad area, she was born in Jansen, Colorado on August 20, 1930 to Bertha (James) and Angelo Blasi. After graduating from Holy Trinity Catholic High School in 1948 she worked as a sales woman at Kress and Company. On June 03, 1950 Irene married Frank Cerame at Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Trinidad. Frank and Irene resided in Sopris until 1968 when Sopris residents relocated in lieu of Trinidad Lake construction.
“Nonie” Cerame was the heart and backbone of Cerame Trucking and Coal. She was known by friends as “the coal lady”. She could shovel faster and drive a loader better than most men. For years she changed semi-truck tires, stacked bricks, made adobes and helped build their new home in Jansen. You would often find her on her skid-steer loading and delivering coal to her customers. If the coal chutes were full Irene would be chasing after four girls, baking Easter bread, or making Christmas cookies and home-made salsa.
Irene enjoyed spending time with family. She loved to camp, travel, listen to live country music, collect tea cups, porcelain roosters and play cards. Her travels took her to New York City, Italy, San Francisco, Alaska, Mt. Rushmore, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. In recent years her favorite activities in the Trinidad area included dancing to Sam Bachicha, playing bingo at the senior center, and completing jig-saw puzzles or playing cards with friends. She loved attending daily mass, followed by a coffee break with her sister.
Preceding her in death are her parents Bertha and Angelo Blasi, husband Frank Cerame, siblings Carrie (William) Paravecchio, John Blasi, Lucy Blasi, Mary Ann Hadad, Fred Blasi, Carol Ann Swanson, Tony(Annabelle) Blasi, Louis Blasi, Theresa Hadad, Esther DeCresentis, Mary Margaret Blasi, Dominic Blasi Sr., Minnie (Pete) DeCristino, and son in law Ray Van Gorden
Irene is survived by her daughters Bernadine Van Gorden, Anna Marie (Robert Gordon) Cerame, Margie (Jeff Hagen) Cerame, and Francine (Garvis) Muesing. Grandchildren Junior (Lori) Apple, Buck (Karrie) Apple, Jessica (Aaron) Bilby, Camille Calladine, Franko (Connie) Cerame, Dustin Hagen, Jami (Brac) Heiss, and Bryce Breeden. Brother Michael Blasi and sister Betty Jo (Charles) Gyurman. Also survived by sisters in law Billie Blasi and Betty Blasi, brothers in law Joe Hadad, Richard Hadad, Lou DeCrescentis and William Swanson. She is survived by 8 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday March 29th from 4-7 p.m. at Comi Funeral Home. The Rosary will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday March 30th at Comi Funeral home with Mass to follow at Sebastiani Gym at 10 a.m..Interment will follow at Trinidad Masonic Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are Tom ‘Cheetah’ Santistevan, Albert “Butch” Vecellio, Charles Gyurman, Anthony Blasi, Robert DeCristino, Richard DeCristino, Steve Blasi, John Blasi, Paul Blasi, Tommy Blasi, RandeeDeCristino, Joe DeCresentis, Ronnie Hadad and Robert Gordon.
Active pallbearers are Junior Apple, Buck Apple, Dustin Hagen, Brac Heiss, Bryce Breeden and Jordan Apple.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Holy Trinity Catholic Church Restoration Fund at 235 N. Convent St. or Noah’s Ark at 224 N. Chestnut St. Trinidad, Colorado 81082.
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
